Ok, this is the second chapter and it is from Toshiro's POV. Each chapter will change POVs from the previous and Rukia, Renji and Rangiku will be getting their own chapters.
NOTE: The character names will switch from first names to surnames depending on whose POV it is, e.g. Toshiro will refer to everyone by their last names with the exception of Ichigo and Rangiku, while Rukia and Renji will refer to everyone by their first names, with the exception of Toshiro who they shall call Captain Hitsugaya. Make sense?
Also I may have forgotten to mention this but it's a 10 part story. K cool.
Here we go:
…
Chapter 2: Toshiro.
Toshiro glared up at the arrancar, his breathing becoming laboured. Damn, he was hoping to end this fight quickly and without needing his limiter removed.
The arrancar in question cackled evilly as he released his zanpakuto following his long slightly-too-dramatic monologue about how great Aizen was and why soul reapers 'suck' and blah, blah, blah. Toshiro tuned out as he gathered his spiritual power together, ready for the next strike. It was easy to block the arrancar out; he had been talking none stop since the fight began – a real chatterbox this one was.
"I am Arrancar 15, and you'll die at my hands, Soul Reaper!"
The arrancar charged, now covered in armour made from the same bone-like material as a hollow mask, and Toshiro was forced to jump back swiftly out of the line of attack. The arrancar realised he'd missed and immediately swung around to meet Toshiro's oncoming attack.
The great ice dragon exploded from Toshiro's blade and descended upon its' victim. At only 20% power, Toshiro knew that the ice wouldn't hold him for long and quickly called upon Hyorinmaru's final release.
"Bankai!"
Ice wings erupted from Toshiro's back, spreading wider than those of an eagle. Ice moulded around his sword hand, creating the form of a dragon's head, and spread down around his feet. A large tail grew out from the bottom of the wings. It's time to end this.
Using the legendary ice dragon as a distraction to cover his next move, Toshiro flew up to his opponent and struck him right in the abdomen with his blade.
Toshiro cursed. The armour was preventing him from penetrating the arrancar more than an inch into his body. The arrancar howled in pain, however, as the tip of Toshiro's sword entered him.
Wuss, Toshiro thought as he wiggled the sword around, trying to push it in deeper.
Now that the ice dragon had disappeared, the arrancar was able to concentrate on Toshiro, jumping back off the blade and putting some distance between them. He seemed surprised to be wounded, touching the injury gingerly and pulling his hand back to assess the damage.
"First time you've been wounded through that armour, am I right?" Toshiro smirked. Was Aizen really sending newbies out against a captain? At least he had a weak point now, he would keep attacking that entry point he'd just made and open it right up to impale him properly.
The arrancar was watching him wearily as he flash stepped. Toshiro almost laughed at the absolute look of panic on his face before appearing behind him.
"Behind you, Arrancar," Toshiro growled, ready to strike him in his weak spot.
The arrancar made the mistake Toshiro knew he would and whipped around to face him. Toshiro once again struck that same spot dead on. The armour cracked open a little more allowing Toshiro to push his sword further into the hollow's body.
The arrancar reacted instantly, probably out of alarm more than thought, and stuck Toshiro hard against his chest. The distinctive sound of bones breaking was all Toshiro heard as the force of the blow sent him flying backwards into a building before he could even register what had happened.
Fuck, was the only thought in Toshiro's head as he attempted to pick himself back up before the arrancar could hit him with a follow up attack. Pain shot through his collar and shoulder; he had broken his collar bone for sure. At least it was on his left side and not his sword arm; he could still fight.
Gritting his teeth, Toshiro looked up as the arrancar flew towards him, aiming for another head on attack. Big mistake on his part, he should have been stealthier when fighting a soul reaper captain and child genius.
Toshiro put on his best surprised face as the arrancar approached, grinning like the stupid maniac he was – he really must have thought he was going to win. As the arrancar reached him, his long dagger-like claws coming in for the swing, Toshiro thrust Hyorinmaru up into the unsuspecting hollow, straight through the very same weak spot, his aim once again flawless. The time, the blade went all the way in, hitting the armour on his back from the inside. In one final move, Toshiro ripped the blade downwards with all his strength to slice through the arrancar's internal organs.
A beat passed, and then blood from the arrancar spurted out of his widened wound and he faded into thin air – purified – with an ear-splitting scream. Unfortunately for Toshiro, the arrancar had actually swiped him with those damn claws, ripping open the skin on his already injured shoulder, but thankfully the wound was not too deep. It stung badly, but he refused to cry out; this wasn't even in his top 10 most painful wounds.
He floated back down to the ground, shattering his bankai, and sheathing his sword.
"Captain!" Rangiku called from the roof top of another building as she flash-stepped down to meet him.
"Matsumoto, you're late," Toshiro snapped, moving his hand up to heal his shoulder. Shallow open wounds were no problem for a captain like him, but the broken collar bone was a different story; he'd have to go see Urahara and Tessai about that since Orihime Inoue was still in the Soul Society with the younger Kuchki.
"I'm sorry Captain; I was on the other side of town when I felt you activate your bankai. Espada?"
"No, Arrancar 15. Powerful hits, but stupid, seriously so stupid," Toshiro answered.
Rangiku giggled, but stopped hastily upon noticing his collar bone sticking out at an odd angle and the deep bruise that was setting in.
"Captain, you're hurt! Quickly, we must go see Urahara!" She exclaimed in a pitch just that little bit too high for Toshiro's comfort.
He cringed at the ringing in his ears and suddenly felt her arm snake around his waist as she flash stepped off with him in the direction of Urahara's shop.
"MATSUMOTO! LET ME GO THIS INSTANT!"
… … …
Walking out of Urahara's store with his newly fixed bone, Toshiro's thoughts went back to his discussion with Ichigo this morning and about how he had agreed to let the redhead tell everybody about them.
"Captain? Are you okay?" came Rangiku's concerned response. Toshiro guessed he must have had a troubled expression on his face to warrant her worry.
They reached a small park at the end of the street before he gave her an answer. She had always been good with giving him advice on these matters; she'd become more of a friend than just his lieutenant – not that he'd tell her that – in the recent years.
"Kurosaki wants to tell everyone about us," He sighed, slumping down onto a large boulder in the shade, "starting with his family tonight at dinner."
"You think they won't accept you?" Rangiku guessed, coming to sit beside him.
"No, I think they'll be fine with it. Karin Kurosaki likes me since I helped her win that soccer game, his other sister appears to like everyone she meets and his father will just be happy if his son is."
"So…what's the problem?" Rangiku asked as she lay back onto her elbows and watched the clouds drift across the sky.
Toshiro looked up too; he always did find staring up at the sky a good way to mull through his thoughts and sort out his problems. Big, white, fluffy clouds littered the otherwise bright blue sky, not threatening rain at this stage, but floating aimlessly wherever the breeze took them.
"It's his friends, especially his soul reaper friends," Toshiro answered softly, "they've known me for a long time, and they know what I am."
"Who, Sir, they know who you are, not what you are," Rangiku responded instantly. If Toshiro had been looking at her face, he'd probably see concern in her eyes and possibly a little sadness. She didn't need to ask what he had meant by that, she knew him too well.
"There are certain opinions of me that are widely held in the Seireitei by almost everyone outside our squad, and probably even some inside it. They respect me as a captain, but not as a person," Toshiro explained anyway, "I'm concerned that Abarai and Kuchki are no different and will voice their…distaste…to Kurosaki. I don't want to put him in that position."
Toshiro suddenly felt two large breasts at the back of his head and two long arms wrap themselves around his shoulders. Why does this woman always insist on hugging him? She seemed to have a hug ready for any occasion. If he seemed sad, she'd hug him to 'comfort' him. If he was mad, she'd hug him to 'calm' him. If he was happy, she would still hug him, claiming he was 'just too cute'. Toshiro was not cute.
"Let go now, Matsumoto, before I pull Hyorinmaru on you," He threatened with a low growl.
Her only response was a girly giggle before she silently freed him from her death hold.
"Aww, Captain! I'm just trying to make you feel better," She whined pathetically.
They sat in silence for a while, just staring up into the sky. Toshiro was sure that he was awarded this peaceful moment only because Rangiku was no doubt trying to work out what to say next to him.
Taking a deep breath, he laid down beside her on the rock, his arms coming up behind him to support his head. He closed his eyes and tried to empty his mind, focusing only on the sounds around him. Children played happily on the playground nearby, calling out to their parents to watch them slide, climb or swing, leaves rustled in the light Autumn breeze and birds chirped happily from their perches in the tree tops. He almost forgot what his problem was.
"Ichigo loves the person you are, not the captain," Rangiku begun, seemingly decided on a response, "and I'm sure Renji and Rukia will accept that. If anything, I think they'll just want to get to know you more, to get to know the real you."
"One can only hope, but in case you've forgotten, the 'real me' as you call it, doesn't come out easily."
"Stop worrying, Captain," Rangiku ordered with authority, causing him to open one eye to gaze at her, just who here was whose boss?
"Ichigo loves you and that's all that should matter," She continued, disregarding the icy glare he sent her, "I've got your back, Sir, and I'll defend you against anyone who tries to tell me or Ichigo that you aren't the greatest person they've ever met!"
He rolled his eyes at her sudden passion and determination. Typical Matsumoto, he thought, always wanting to fight away someone's bully, just like when they first met.
"God forbid it comes to that," He remarked sarcastically with a half smirk. She laughed softly and punched him playfully in the arm.